NFC Championship draws massive ratings

85 percent of the TVs turned on Sunday in Seattle were tuned to the Seahawks game, according to Nielsen Media Research. (AP image)

The Seahawks have clearly captured the attention of the entire country, if the national TV ratings from Sunday’s broadcast are any indication.

Nielsen Media Research reports the Seahawks 23-17 win over San Francisco scored a whopping 28.5 national household rating and 44 share, an 18 percent increase over the 2013 NFC Championship between the 49ers and Atlanta. About 55.9 million viewers tuned in Sunday. The total is a 33 percent increase from 2013, Nielsen reports.

The game was Fox’s highest-rated non-overtime NFC Championship Game since 1997 when Carolina knocked off Green Bay, and was the most-watched non-overtime NFC Championship Game since 1995 when 56.8 million viewers saw San Francisco defeat Dallas.

Even more impressive, 85 percent of the TVs in Seattle that were turned on Sunday were tuned to the game, giving Q13 Fox a massive 54.3 rating for the broadcast. San Francisco’s Fox affiliate drew a 47.5 rating and 78 share.